The Farm Relief Services (FRS) Network is set to mark the 40-year anniversary of its founding next month.

On Wednesday, August 13, 1980, the National Co-op Farm Relief Services set up the national co-ordinating body, across 30 co-ops around the country.

Initially established to provide relief milking, FRS has since diversified into fencing, training, recruitment, agri-technology and employability services.

FRS Network is the umbrella company for FRS Farm Relief, FRS Fencing, FRS Recruitment, FRS Training, Herdwatch and Turas Nua.

Peter Byrne, CEO of FRS Network, has been at the helm of the business since the start. He commented: “The early relief milking group got off the ground through the dedication and commitment of voluntary committees and the foresight they had in setting up self-help services.

“These committees welcomed the involvement of full-time staff to allow the range and scope of services to grow. That openness and willingness to change and move with the times is the backbone, culture and ethos on which the organisation has been built,” Byrne said.

Voluntary board members continue to play a key role in the organisation alongside a team of very experienced professional staff with management expertise across a wide spectrum.

Along with milking, the FRS Network’s other specialised services include hoof care, freeze branding, scanning and dehorning. There are over 1,000 FRS operators through the country operating from 14 FRS offices nationwide.

Overall, FRS Network, as a parent body, employs over 1,500 staff and has a payroll in excess of €40 million.